I couldn’t stop thinking about the map at Richter’s. Had to know why he and Zara had spared Fort Colman. Were they treating it as a reserve of people to harvest, like the Hierophant had with his cannibal pantry? Or maybe the Pentacles had powers that even two Majors feared. If so, we needed to know what they were.
“I’m eager to hear what Death finds in those chronicles.” Sol swiped condensation from the truck window to gaze out at the night. Lightning made the low-hanging clouds look like fireworks were going off inside them. “You know, Evie gave me my first real taste of life out here in the Ash. She once yelled at me because I wouldn’t take clothes off a corpse.”
I had to grin. “I chewed her out for not plucking sunglasses off a body. Seems some of the grief I dished to her rolled downstream to you.”
“So she was trained by the best. I have to admit I’m excited to be out in the world with you guys. I have much to learn.”
Back to quarterbacking, me. And now I had one more Arcana on my roster, with new strengths for the playbook.
“What’s the plan, General?”
First thing? Get Kentarch to courier the chronicles to Death. I’d deal with the fallout from Joules. Second . . . “We got to fix this truck if we’re goan to stay on the move.” Domīnija would have the parts we needed at the castle. Kentarch could pick them up when he dropped off the chronicles.
“And after that?”
The answer grew undeniable. “Recon. At the Sick House.”
14
The Empress
“Jack knew,” I told Aric when he returned from showering later that night.
“Pardon?” He wore only loose sweatpants, his muscular chest bare. Memories of our earlier time in this bed simmered.
I gave myself an inner shake to stay focused. “Jack knew we’d been together.” Ever since Aric and I had hastily made that phone call, I’d stewed with anger about his plan and guilt over my actions.
“Yes. He’s a very perceptive mortal.”
“He must have been so hurt.”
“As was I when Jack told me you’d resumed your relationship in Jubilee. He will learn to live with it. And he has much to occupy his mind right now.”
“Like his narrow escape from the Emperor and Fortune.”
“Among other things. He’s probably at this moment planning a trip to the Sick House.”
My eyes widened. “He wouldn’t go pick a fight with Minors.”
“Wouldn’t he? I’m not opposed to him and his crew investigating a potential threat to you. Remember, the Fool warned about at least two suits uniting against you. Plus, there is a slight chance that Jack might find a qualified doctor there.” Aric positioned his sword next to his side of the bed, then climbed in with me.
“What are you doing?” I pointed at his chair. “Off to your spot! I’m still pissed about your suicide plan.”
“I’m going to bed with my wife. We are—how would you put it?—back together.”
His take-charge attitude shouldn’t be this sexy. “Do I get any say?”
“No. Not after the way you reacted earlier. You needed me as badly as I needed you. Why should we deny ourselves what we both desire?”
As memories washed over me, I couldn’t quite formulate an answer.
“Be pissed from your side of the bed then,” he told me. “You’ll forgive me a little more when I take you later tonight and in the morning.”
My breath hitched. “You don’t feel guilty about keeping your plans from me? Your one-way trip?”
He shook his head. “Never underestimate the love I hold for you. It will enable me to move mountains.”
“Then overthrow this game.” Don’t leave us behind.
“Those chronicles might help. And perhaps Tee’s birth can affect the outcome.” Aric must have seen I was roiling inside. He reached for me, cupping my face. “Know that I’m going to stay with you for as long as I can.”
Emotion threatened to swamp me. “I can’t live on after you. And you can just as easily raise your son. He’ll need his father.”
“He’ll need his mother more.”
Doubtful. “Why can’t you win the game? What if I’m not a better alternative than the Emperor? I don’t think the red witch will usher in an age of Eden. I dream of a wasteland of thorns and poison, as terrifying as anything Richter could ring in.”
“You’ve been traumatized, repeatedly.” Sometimes by me—the unspoken words. “So it’s understandable that you would have nightmares.”
Good point. How curious that I expected regular dreams like a regular girl in a non-apocalyptic world. Still, I didn’t want to win.
“You will always come back.” He sounded so confident. “You will always leash the witch in time.”
“You told me immortality was the utterest hell.” Being alone for centuries like that was my worst fear.
“You will have Jack for part of your reign, and you’ll have Tee. If I’d had children and grandchildren to look after, things would have been different. All I had was regret and thoughts of revenge. You are life; your reign will reflect that.”
Or it’ll be a hellscape of thorns. I recalled the red witch whispering that Demeter gave lavishly. But she also withheld viciously. “You’ve proven that you were the best option to win the game. You didn’t use your immortality to rule the world. You could have taken over everything.”
“Which would have empowered the God of Death.” Aric’s eyes looked haunted as he so clearly reflected over his endless years. “Why would I honor the deity who cursed me into this game? It’s time for his champion to experience defeat.”
At that, Aric released me and lay back. Having said his piece, he drifted off into a light sleep, while I fumed.
He’d aimed his obstinate determination toward a goal I’d never accept. We weren’t united in our mission, and working against Aric never went well for me. I felt helpless to save him.
My fists clenched. In the past, what I’d wanted to happen happened. Well, except for being able to keep both Aric and Jack. But otherwise, I’d worked hard and believed in myself, and I’d moved the needle.
Then the answer came to me. After tonight, we had another ace in our hand.
Sol.
If he empowered me against Richter, I wouldn’t risk burning out or going nuclear. No need to tap into my toxic well. Tomorrow I’d inform the guys that the Sun Card was the new MVP.
Resolved, I finally let sleep come. . . .
Over the night, Aric kept his sensual promises.
When I woke, I found a gift on the pillow beside me—the amber wedding ring around the stem of a clipped white rose. The message from him was clear: We belong together. I love you.
Despite being in love with Jack, I couldn’t imagine going back to a life without the closeness Aric and I had shared. I picked up the ring, knowing that if I slipped it on, I would consider us married again.
Part of me cautioned for more time. Part of me comprehended we didn’t have the luxury of it.
He was right; we were back together. With a shaky breath, I donned the ring, picturing how his eyes would go starry when he saw it returned to my finger.